Glendale AZ vs Kirkland WA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026

Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)

Glendale, AZ

Arizona · Population: 271,118

  • Median HH Income$121,351
  • Median Home Price$408,630
  • Unemployment3.3%
  • Bachelor's+47.5%

Kirkland, WA

Washington · Population: 57,088

  • Median HH Income$87,277
  • Median Home Price$1,274,801
  • Unemployment5.1%
  • Bachelor's+32.2%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Glendale
271,118
Glendale +
Kirkland
57,088
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Glendale
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
Median Age
Glendale
35.7
Glendale +
Kirkland
37.7
Foreign Born
Glendale
9.6%
Kirkland
12.4%
Kirkland +
White
Glendale
72.7%
Glendale +
Kirkland
66.8%
Black
Glendale
3.4%
Kirkland
6.1%
Kirkland +
Asian
Glendale
6.6%
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Hispanic
Glendale
17.5%
Glendale +
Kirkland
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Glendale
N/A
Kirkland
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Glendale
$121,351
Glendale +
Kirkland
$87,277
Per Capita Income
Glendale
$49,825
Glendale +
Kirkland
$41,024
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Glendale
$59,120
Kirkland
$76,120
Kirkland +
Unemployment Rate
Glendale
3.3%
Glendale +
Kirkland
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Glendale
5.1%
Glendale +
Kirkland
11.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Glendale
47.5%
Glendale +
Kirkland
32.2%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Glendale
$408,630
Glendale +
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Homeownership Rate
Glendale
73.9%
Glendale +
Kirkland
57.2%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
450
Kirkland
383
Kirkland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
2150
Glendale +
Kirkland
3409

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
32.9%
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
11.7%
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Glendale
16.7%
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Glendale
17.6%
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Glendale
15.7%
Glendale +
Kirkland
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Glendale
13.2%
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
N/A
Kirkland
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Glendale
7.1 µg/m³
Glendale +
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Glendale
75.0%
Kirkland
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Glendale
28.0 min
Glendale +
Kirkland
28.2 min

Which City is Right for You?

Glendale leads in median household income at $121,351, while glendale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $408,630. On public safety, Kirkland is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Glendale. Glendale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Glendale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kirkland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.8%.

Compare More Cities

About Glendale & Kirkland